East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council Report


KINGS HILL PLANS AND WARREN WOOD, EAST MALLING


Just before Christmas, Parish council chairman David Thornewell attended the public inquiry into the plans to change the designation of three areas within Kings Hill from employment to housing, and to extend into another next to Warren Wood in the parish. This piece of land was part of Heath Farm and not included within the original area allocated for development at Kings Hill. A fifth site at Heath Farm, Wateringbury Road, also a “green field” site, was withdrawn before the inquiry began. The proposals call into question what would happen if the land was needed for employment purposes,


especially given Tonbridge and Malling currently does not have the government’s requirement of a five year housing land supply. And would houses fit in with the adjoining commercial development?


The parish council was supporting the borough council in refusing the site next to Warren Wood, especially as that woodland was listed by Natural England as ancient woodland. We now await the inspector’s decision.


LITTER PICK


Anita and Tim’s highly popular Larkfield Litter Pick will be taking place on March 14 at 10.30am, start from Church Farm


West Malling Parish Council Report


PARISH PRECEPT The Parish Council Budget was set at a 3.2% increase to a band D household. A sum of £3,000 is being safeguarded to meet possible loan costs for the purchase of any asset, such as the Age Concern Centre if KCC agree to sell the property to the Parish Council.


NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN STEERING GROUP


The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group has held its first meeting to discuss priorities for the plan, which includes housing, design, environment, transport, community facilities and heritage. Anyone interested in joining the group or helping with its work should contact the Clerk on 01732 870872 or at clerk@ westmallingpc.org


HIGH STREET PATCHING AND LINING Efforts are being made by KCC to find a suitable block for patching the potholes in the High Street block surface following the parish council’s protests about a patchwork effect of recent reinstatements. Once a suitable colour is found, KCC has agreed to ensure reinstatements are carried out using the same colour. If a suitable match cannot be found, it may be necessary to


remove an entire section of the original blocks, and retain them for patching, whilst reinstating the section removed with the nearest available colour brick. This could be carried out at the church end of the High St where a large pothole is gradually getting bigger as the sides collapse. The STOP carriageway lettering at the Swan Street / High Street junction and the zebra crossing have been reported as in need of renewal.


CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL WEEKEND St Mary’s Church held a wonderful display of decorated Christmas trees over the festival weekend. Each tree was decorated with items depicting the activities of charities or worthy organisations. Chocolate Umbrella’s pink tree was a firm favourite. During Sunday, visitors enjoyed the usual array of commercial and local voluntary group stalls, fairground rides and entertainers on the stage. The decorated shop window competition shields were won by Franks Restaurant for the large window, and Coco and Bloom for the small window category. The lights switch-on went smoothly, with more individual designs, and the large Christmas trees looked excellent, despite one having had its head knocked during transportation. Neil


Cornford was thanked for his many years’ involvement in putting up the Christmas lights. Neil is now standing down for a well-earned rest. The Sunday event was organised and run once again by Heart of Kent Hospice. Well done everybody involved.


CHIP PRODUCTION PANTOMIME Snow White and the Magnificent Seven was performed at West Malling Village Hall at the beginning of December and again in January. Four colourful performances were thoroughly enjoyed by all. Chips is an all age performing group and is proud to support Macmillan Cancer Support. It raised £460 for the charity from the panto performances. Chips welcomes all new members from 6 years of age, and Shirley can be contacted on 07720 851865


MACEYS MEADOW Volunteers are needed to keep the community orchard meadows looking lovely. Volunteer dates are January 25,


February 8 and 22, March 7 and 21, and April 4 and 18. Tools are provided. Meet at the container by the railway line, near the allotment by the mixed woodland.


Hall, New Hythe Lane. There will be soup as well as cheese and ham rolls to come back to at noon. All welcome.


REFUSE COLLECTION Parish councillors have received a stream of complaints about problems with the borough council’s refuse collection service since it was expanded to collect plastic and bottles. There have been areas missed and bins not collected on the right day by the new contractors. The borough council says an “Action Plan” has been agreed to with the contractor, including 50 more collection staff to be employed and 20 extra refuse trucks.


LOCAL CONTACTS


Trudy Dean, Malling Action Partnership chairman E: trudy.dean@kent.gov.uk T: 01732 843 119 Citizens Advice Bureau – T: 01732 440488 Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council main switchboard – T: 01732 844522


Pothole reporting – T: 08458 247800


Travel Enquiries Nu-Venture Buses – T: 01622 882288 Trains – T: 08457 484950 Arriva Buses – T: 0871 200 22 33


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